Microsoft axes long-running $1 Game Pass trial
The Xbox Game Pass has always been about the accessibility of the best games the Xbox console family has at its disposal. Its whole deal is to offer a library of hundreds of games - for a lump sum.
Game Pass arguably comes with some duds, but equally, is packed with AAA bangers, indie delights, and everything in between. After all, it's pretty hard to sniff at a service that gives you Halo Infinite and Celeste all at once.
Though to call it cheap is probably a bit misleading, it's not horrendously overpriced - and with its entry-level deal offering players the service for only a dollar, it's easy for anyone to get involved. Except, that might not be the case for much longer.
Xbox is canning its $1 Game Pass trial
Click to enlargeThe deal that offers players an introduction to Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox, PC, and Cloud has done a lot for the service when it comes to getting new fans involved with the service. But now, Xbox seems to be shutting up shop for the deal.
"We have stopped our previous introductory offer for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass and are evaluating different marketing promotions for new members in the future," says the Global Communications Head at Xbox, Kari Perez, to The Verge.
It looks like from now, if you want to get your start with the service, you're just going to have to go in hard at a full-paid month of use. Ouch. It's fair that Perez has promised "different marketing promotions," but we doubt it'll be as good as the $1 deal.
What's next for the Game Pass introductory offer?
As of right now, there's no real indication that a similar deal could be making a return for the subscription service, which is a massive shame. It looks as though Xbox is hoping that pure word of mouth and iconography will be enough to talk potential players around to the green side.
Whispers of a Friends & Family service coming to the UK and US is still thin, so this can hopefully serve as something of a replacement. Game Pass is an undeniable giant that has largely left PlayStation Plus trailing behind it, but the $1 deal helped define it. We'll have to wait and see what Microsoft has planned next.